Questions & Answers
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Why is it called a Mamasan chair?
1 Answer
A double-seated oval-shaped chair is called a Mamasan chair due to its history. It all started with the Papasan chair, first created in the Philippines. The word Papasan comes from the English nickname for a father, papa, and the Japanese honorific "-san." During the 1950s, American soldiers brought these round chairs home and introduced a new trend. When people began wanting a double-wide version of the chair, manufacturers answered the call and introduced the Mamasan. The choice of the name "mama"-san was meant to be a playful complement to the Papasan. Find a large collection of chairs on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
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Shop for Chairs on 1stDibs
Dialogo" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1970
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
"Dialogo" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, Made in Italy, 1970.
Set of four "Dialogo" chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1973. The feature of this "D...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Plastic, Beech
"Gaja" chair by Kazuhide Takahama for Cassina, 1970s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
"Gaja" chair by Kazuhide Takahama for Cassina, Made in Italy, 1970s.
This Chair is made of an electro-welded, chrome-plated steel rod. This type is in the version with genuine leathe...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of Folding Chairs by Kurt Culetto for Horgen Glarus, 1960s, Switzerland
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Leather Pair of Folding Chairs by Kurt Culetto for Horgen Glarus , 1960s, Switzerland
Measurements :
Height: 84 cm
Width: 59 cm
Depth: 55 cm
Seating height: 37 cm
Please do not he...
Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
MacKenzie-Childs Pearlescent “Fantasy Fish” Accent Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
If a shimmering mermaid were suddenly spun around and turned into a chair by a wicked, maniacal sea witch (apologies, Ursula), this would be it. The messages “Dreams of a Sea King” a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Maple, Paint
Pair of Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chairs, Rosewood and Leather
By Arne Norell
Located in Lutz, FL
Iconic Mid Century Modern Rosewood and Brown Leather ‘Sirocco’ Safari chair pair designed by Arne Norell, Sweden c.1960’s. Solid rosewood frames with interesting grain pattern and na...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage Balinese Painted Carved Karang Chair
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century Balinese chair featuring high-relief carved parang face with floral and foliage motifs.
Category
20th Century Indonesian Chairs
Materials
Wood
